November 2018: Did I pass?

~ Chocolaterunsjudy

bnovgrade18

When it comes to racing, 2018 was just an odd year. Some highs, some lows, and a lot of races that just didn’t happen (but luckily weren’t registered for so I lost nothing).

Seriously amazing I ever got outside considering how dreary November has been!

Getting in scheduled runs
Essentially there were no scheduled runs. No big goal races. Not as much racing as I usually do in November, as it turns out. Since it’s my one month off season and I’ve been having some aches, I’ve dropped down to running three times per week.

Grade Earned:  A

Recording my runs
I continued to not record my runs. Why? Because I had to figure out where in my journal to put them after stopping for so long. I mean, how silly is that? Halfway through the month I did sit down, pull up my big girl panties, and start recording stuff again.

Grade Earned: C+

Dynamic Warmup
For the most part I’ve continued to do well here. I was too busy running to the start of Stockadeathon (read about it here) to warm up. 

Grade Earned: A-

Foam Rolling
After the triggerpoint session at the AMR Retreat, I made it a goal to start shooting for daily foam rolling. Of course I skip a day here and there, but I am foam rolling almost every day.

Grade Earned: A+

Enjoyed Thanksgiving but not enjoying the extra weight that’s clinging!

Nutrition
#thestruggleisreal. I’ve definitely cleaned up my act nutrition-wise, but the unseasonably cold temps and dreary weather this month have not made it easy. Thanksgiving was one day where I chose to eat what I wanted, but didn’t go crazy, and with hosting, by the time I sat down to my full plate I wasn’t even all that hungry. Or maybe it was the appetizers . . . whatever. The bottom line is I didn’t go crazy and I didn’t let it bleed into the whole weekend.

I’d like to say the last few pounds I’m struggling with have melted off, but no. Not yet.

Grade Earned: B+

Support

  • Massage? No.
  • Chiropractor Appointment? No, but when I’m not racing I only do every other month as maintenance, so no reason for it this month.
  • Do I need a hair appointment? Done. Hallelujah that was long overdue!
  • I even did a few more foot epsom soaks.

Grade Earned: A

Cross Training
I haven’t been lifting weights, but I’ve put yoga in more of a starring role and Pilates, too. The stationary bike is seeing some action.

Grade Earned: B

November 2018  gets  . . . 
. . . an B+. I think in a way it was a better month than October, getting back to more basics, but As are for perfection and it certainly wasn’t perfect.

November Goals:

    • Continue to Prehab. Y. I’ve been really good about trying to rehab those aches (so rehab, really, not so much prehab; oh well).
    • Strength train 2-3 x week. N. But more Pilates and Yoga.
    • Some extra Core TLC. N. Well, sort of, I bought a Triggerpoint DVD that is actually a core routine and have used it a bunch of times — working your core AND foam rolling? Yes, please.
    • Foam roll almost daily. Y. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to roll the kinks out, but then again, the Triggerpoint demonstrator talked about a person who rolled for a year to really see progress.
    • Swim! N. Cold arrived early this month and seems to be here to stay.
    • Play around with savory snacks (and report back on them!). N.Not really. I mean, I have started to play with them a bit, but kind of fell off the wagon this month.
    • Meal plan on the weekends! Y. Mostly, anyway. Sometimes it was just noting what leftovers I had on hand — even that makes a difference! I worked hard to make sure we had plenty of leftovers before Thanksgiving so I didn’t have to worry about dinner in that crazy week.

Which leads me to December Goals:

    • Continue to Prehab. As always, something is always better than nothing.
    • Add on some short strength training 2-3 x week. Pilates is a great workout, but I truly believe that actually lifting weights will help me age better. So while I’ll continue to concentrate more on Pilates and Yoga, I need to start lifting, even if it’s just a little.
    • Bring more yoga back into my life. While I never stopped doing yoga, I realized one day, when I was so stiff during a yoga DVD, that I’ve let it slide more than I should. Way more. I do wish there was time to keep all the activity balls in the air!
    • Some extra Core TLC. I need to make this more front & center again.
    • Foam roll almost daily. I’d really like to say daily, but I just know that won’t happen. 
    • Play around with savory snacks (and report back on them!). I have just a few I enjoy. This month, it’s time to add at least one more savory snack to my repertoire!
    • Meal plan on the weekends! Much easier to shop and eat well when I have a plan. 

I’m linking up with with MCM Mama Runs, Marcia’s Healthy Slice, and My No Guilt Life for the Tuesdays on the Run linkup.

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This week I am also joining up with Running on Happy, Suzlyfe, Crazy Running Girl, and Coach Debbie Runs each week for the Coaches’ Corner linkup

coachescorner

33 thoughts on “November 2018: Did I pass?”

  1. With all the races you trained for I’d say you needed a break.

    Hope your aches and pains disappear soon.

    My November didn’t turn out the way I planned either.

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      1. Me? Four in 12 months. March, May, Sept and November. Fewer than normal and spaced out which is probably why I’m not tired.

        I hope I remember this for next year. So far I have 3. Will probably add a 4th in the fall.

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      3. And one was 18 miles. Holy cow.

        I still think al those miles would do a number on your body.

        Yes the lack of daylight and sunshine doesn’t help.

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  2. Sounds like a cutback month to breathe and regroup is just what you needed. While I did not overeat on Thanksgiving (hello, no pie) I still haven’t gotten on the scale. I started logging runs in my journal and have already fallen off track. WTH?!

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    1. I’m not sure I overate on Thanksgiving — but I did enjoy some dessert — but I wouldn’t at all be surprised to be up this month. And the last couple of days I’ve suddenly been hungry at night, which isn’t like me.

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  3. I love the freedom that comes with having nothing in the immediate future on my schedule. Of course, this is the time when I usually start to get “itchy” and sign up for a bunch of spring races, but with my hip injury, that is not happening this year. The variety in your workouts is so inspiring! I should give Pilates another try. I like it, just need to make room in my schedule for it. Do you go to a class or do an online one?

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    1. I have bunch of online programs I’ve bought & also a bunch of DVDs I’ve had a long time — I like the 10 Minute Solution ones, because you can do as short as 10 minutes, or do several for a longer workout — they have a bunch geared towards Pilates.

      I enjoy going to classes & there’s actually a place really close to me, but with aging pets it’s harder and harder to be able to go out for an extended period of time so I usually save that for my runs. And truth be told, I’m actually a real homebody.

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  4. I have a little bit of everything, and that’s been enough for the past few years. I need time to digest before I can think about dessert too. Everything is delicious and that way I can take everything without going overboard.

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  5. I can totally relate to the whole recording run thing. I recorded very few runs in my Journal this year. I wrote some down in a notebook cus like you, wasn’t sure where to put them in the journal after having took a break. Is that part of our Runner OCD?

    Your Thanksgiving spread looks fabulous! I love how each dish has it’s own label! -M

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  7. I need more yoga in my life. I find it hard to do everything I want to do! I was doing really great on strength training this cycle, but I have a really hard time finding time for everything. Next cycle I’m down to 4 days of running, so hopefully I will be able to fit more things in for cross training.

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  9. I always say this, but I think you are too hard on yourself! You’re one of the most disciplined people I know!

    I was looking forward to a cutback month, but oops, I signed up for a half in January. I did ok with not overindulging last weekend–I worked and ran a half, so that kind of negated any excess!

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    1. I still believe an A is for perfection, and of course none of us are perfect, but still. 🙂

      I’m hoping that half is in FL? I probably could do with another light month but I also really want to go to Savannah. 🙂

      Since you ran a half, Thanksgiving was just a little early fueling. 🙂

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      1. I’ve tracked various kinds of mileage over time, off a spread sheet I “bought” from a friend for the price of a beer.
        If you ever want a mileage one, happy to send you mine. It has all the formulas baked in

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